As we approach the holiday season, Our Sunday Visitor is looking to our readers for help with a few ongoing projects. The first is OSV’s now 30-year tradition of printing Christmas Memories.

As in years past, we currently are accepting entries for three categories: Christmas Past, Christmas in Uniform and Christmas Poetry.

For the “Christmas Past” category, we’re looking for stories that are true, original and as yet unpublished about a previous Christmas that carries particular meaning for the writer.

In the past, common themes have included gratitude, overcoming trials, hope and joy. As we state in our guidelines (see Page 21), preference will be given to those stories that reflect renewed faith or strength of spirit.

For “Christmas in Uniform,” we’re looking for special stories of the men and women who are serving their country in the military. And for “Christmas Poetry,” we’re looking for original, seasonal poetry that has 48 or fewer lines.

Each entry should be typed (or written neatly), concisely written and no more than 300 words. The deadline for submitting entries to this year’s Christmas Memories feature is Nov. 20. Selected entries will be printed in our Christmas issue, Dec. 22.

OSV also needs help with another Christmas feature — Catholics of the Year — now in its second year. Last year, we asked readers and OSV staff to recommend Catholics who, by their actions in 2012, had uplifted the Church through their service, leadership and witness.

Nominees from around the world included men and women, clergy and lay. Winners included Cardinal Luis Tagle, Archbishop William E. Lori, Canossian Sister Lisa Marie Doty and Helen Alvaré.

This year we’re once again asking you to help identify notable Catholics of 2013 for national recognition.

Who do you think has been an outstanding example of Catholic leadership, service or witness this year? Send the person’s name and contact information, along with a few sentences describing why he or she would be an appropriate person to highlight, to us at feedback@osv.com.

The deadline for submissions is Dec. 1, and we’re looking forward to reading your recommendations.

Finally, as we are marking Veterans Day this week (Pages 18-19), please keep in your prayers all those who have served our country — in the past and present, and those who will serve in the future.

One way Our Sunday Visitor encourages and supports the faith of our Catholic brothers and sisters in the military (including family members and veterans) is by providing them with complimentary subscriptions to OSV Newsweekly. The program relies entirely on donations (all tax deductible), and we need your help to keep this important service going. For more information or to donate, call 800-248-2440.